Jefferson City charter amendment to limit elected officials from serving other roles

The Jefferson City Council Committee on Administration has recommended a city charter amendment prohibiting certain elected officials from serving in other political positions.
by Danisha Hogue
Sep. 5 2019 @ 12:05am

The John G. Christy Municipal Building is pictured in Jefferson City.
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The Jefferson City Council Committee on Administration has recommended a city charter amendment prohibiting certain elected officials from serving in other political positions.

Proposed charter amendments, if approved by City Council, would be placed on the April 2020 ballot.

At its Wednesday meeting, the committee approved sending the changes to the Jefferson City Council to consider.

The change would prohibit the mayor, council members, city administrator, city clerk, department directors, and Jefferson City Parks and Recreation commissioners from serving on an additional elected governing body of another political subdivision, in a statewide office or in the Missouri General Assembly.

Jefferson City Counselor Ryan Moehleman said the charter change would not apply to individuals serving in those positions in their city capacity.

The change would be intended to keep elected officials from serving in conflicting roles.

"People who have direct budget authority when serving in the capacity of an officer for the city really need to have an undivided loyalty to the city," Moehlman said.

Ward 1 Councilman Rick Prather and Ward 3 Councilman Ken Hussey presented concerns for park commissioners or others who currently serve in an elected official role.

For example, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Lindsey Rowden also serves as a Jefferson City School District Board of Education member. Her term as commissioner expires in May 2020. Under the proposed change, Rowden would not be allowed to seek re-appointment if she remained on the school board.

The change has been discussed for about one year, Moehlman said.

A separate charter recommendation includes a "grandfathering clause" that would allow current officers to remain in their positions until the end of their term.

The ordinance also includes a two-year gap period before council members or the mayor could hold a compensated position with the city. The gap would begin two years after the elected official's term ended.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Erin Wiseman said moving the charter amendments piece by piece through the City Council is a good move for the committee.

"I think there's a better likelihood of people really looking at it and really delving into it (to) decide whether or not it should be passed on," she said.

If the city wants to place the amendment on the ballot, the council would have to pass an ordinance calling for an election in mid- to late January, Moehlman has said previously.

In other business Wednesday, the committee recommended four appointments to the Jefferson City Board of Adjustment: Andrew Hake as a commissioner and Sharon Keating, Adam Cartwright and Roy Michael as alternates.